(WNY News Now) – BUFFALO, N.Y. — U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that a 46-year-old former Springville, NY teacher pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer to receipt of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, who is handling the case, stated that Frank E. Noeson III, 46, who was then a 5th grade teacher at a local elementary school, engaged in sexual communications with a minor female (Victim) using Snapchat. The Victim was 16 years old when the communications began. During the communications, Noeson persuaded the Victim to create sexually explicit images and videos and send them to him. Noeson also  engaged in sexual communications with another minor female victim, who was 15 years-old, using Snapchat. During these communications, the victim sent numerous images and videos of child pornography.

The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Buffalo Office Child Exploitation Human Trafficking Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia, the FBI Miami Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Jeffrey Veltri, and the Tonawanda Police Department, under the direction of Chief James Stauffiger.

Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.